Award-winning music video director, Praise Onyeagwalam, popularly known as Director Pink, has opened up about why she abandoned her dream of becoming an actress, citing humiliation and sexual exploitation in her early days in Nollywood.
Speaking in an interview with Hip TV, the filmmaker revealed that her early experience at auditions was filled with rejection, inappropriate propositions, and degrading treatment.
“I wanted to be an actress, but the humiliation was too much — long queues, shady ‘come to this location’ calls. I said no. That’s when I chose to be my own boss,” she recalled.
Director Pink explained that her frustration led her to switch paths from acting to directing, a decision that eventually empowered her.
“I realised I could still be in the entertainment space without compromising my values,” she said. “Directing gave me freedom and respect that acting auditions never offered.”
Known for her creative visuals and collaborations with top Afrobeats stars, she urged aspiring directors to be patient and consistent, stressing that success in the industry takes years of learning and perseverance.
“If you want to succeed, understand that delayed gratification is part of the journey,” she added.
